Description
Succulent brown sugar ham with pineapple emerges as a delightful centerpiece for holiday gatherings. Slow-cooked glazed ham delivers sweet and tangy flavors that will delight guests at your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 6-8 lbs (2.7–3.6 kg) fully cooked spiral-cut ham
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup (120 ml) honey
- 1 can (20 oz / 567 g) pineapple slices, with juice reserved
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- Fresh rosemary or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Position ham in the slow cooker with the flat side facing downward, trimming if necessary to fit. Use foil to cover the top if the ham extends beyond the cooker’s edges.
- Glaze Creation: Whisk brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, cinnamon, and cloves into a harmonious blend. Massage the fragrant mixture thoroughly across the entire ham surface, ensuring penetration between spiral-cut sections.
- Pineapple Layering: Arrange pineapple slices over the glazed ham, securing with toothpicks if needed. Pour reserved pineapple juice across the meat to amplify moisture and enhance the tropical essence.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Intermittently baste the ham with accumulated juices to maintain tenderness and deepen flavor complexity.
- Serving: Remove ham from the slow cooker and let rest for 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices. Slice and plate, garnishing with caramelized pineapple slices and drizzling the concentrated glaze from the cooking vessel.
Notes
- Trim Ham Strategically: Cut ham carefully to fit crock pot, using foil if needed to prevent overcooking or uneven heat distribution.
- Glaze Penetration Technique: Massage glaze thoroughly between spiral-cut sections to ensure deep flavor infusion and maximize taste throughout the meat.
- Moisture Preservation Hack: Baste ham regularly during cooking to maintain tenderness and prevent drying, using accumulated juices for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Resting Period Importance: Allow ham to rest 10 minutes after cooking to redistribute internal juices, ensuring each slice remains succulent and perfectly tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg